Celebrating the Third Coast: Blue Jacket opens in Walker's Point

Blue Jacket is scheduled to open in Walker's Point at 135 E. National Ave. on Thursday.

The restaurant, which takes the place of Triangle Bar, is described as "a celebration of the Third Coast," according to co-owner Laura van Heijningen. The extensively remodeled space seats 80 total – 40 indoors and another 40 on the patio.

Chef Chad Meier is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America who has returned to Milwaukee after training under Justin Wills, a James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef Northwest, at Restaurant Beck in Depoe Bay, Ore. Meier's philosophy is to work with quality local products creating classic cuisine with modern techniques.

He will execute the menu, designed by Chef Karen Bell of Bavette butcher shop in the Third Ward, which features rotating seasonal items from the Great Lakes region.

"Not only are ingredients and inspiration coming from Wisconsin, but all the area surrounding the great lakes," explains Bell. "For example, there is a roasted vegetable poutine on the menu, which is inspired from the other side of the Great Lakes in Canada."

Snacks include popcorn flavored with white cheddar and black truffle ($4) and fried Clock Shadow Creamery cheese curds served with horseradish sauce ($9), along with house pickled vegetables and deviled eggs ($9).

The "Planks" section of the menu offers diners selections of nibbles, including artisan cheeses and meats, including the Wisconsin Old School featuring beef and buffalo summer sausage, braunschweiger, beef jerky and a cheddar ball served with crackers and bread ($12).

The remainder of the menu is fun and accessible, composed of mostly small plates with a strong seafood presence.

The cocktail program, which features a nautical theme, was designed by Nicholas Kosevich and Ira Koplowitz of Bittercube. Drinks will reflects the spirit of the maritime history and the beer list includes draft offerings from Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania and an impressive selection of bottled brews including Hinterland Amber (WI), Ommegang Three Philosophers (NY), Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA (PA), and 3 Floyds Robert the Bruce (IN). The wine list will be similarly varied.

"We're going to focus on coastal wines – wines made within 30 miles of the coast.It's sorta kitsch, but I think it will work really well," Koplowitz says. "It also helps to give focus to the wine list, instead of being completely random."

Selections include whites, reds and roses from Spain, France, Italy and Washington State, as well as "Wines of the Sea" – Port, Madeira and Sherry.

"It's a maritime theme," Koplowitz goes on. "We're pulling that into all elements of the cocktail menu."

That means a focus on gin- and rum-forward cocktails like the London Fog with smoked tea-infused gin, lemon, grapefruit and chartreuse with sparkling wine ($9), Of the Older Bumbo featuring 12-year Flor de Cana rum, nutmeg and sorghum syrup, and Bittercube's Mahalo bitters ($10), and a daily "Navy Grog" for $6.

In addition to great cocktail offerings, the team plans to implement a high-end coffee program with to-order coffee.

"We'll be using a new machine that does a chemex," Koplowitz elaborates. "We'll have three or four different coffees from Alterra, with a focus on seasonal varieties. The idea is to have really good coffee, so Alterra will be training all the bartenders in the craft."

According to van Heigningen, Blue Jacket will open at 4 p.m. daily to start, with the kitchen open until midnight and the bar open later. In a few weeks, they add Saturday and Sunday brunch, beginning at 10 a.m. Parking is available in a lot across from the restaurant on Barclay Street.

More Information…

Talkbacks

We ate here last night, their second night open, and it was awesome! Delicious food and really great service. There were a few bumps (I was served the wrong entree, but it was quickly corrected), but overall we really enjoyed it. Will definitely return. Soon.

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